Adriaan de Lelie - The Art Gallery of Jan Gildemeester [c.1794-95], originally uploaded by Gandalf's Gallery.
In a room richly hung with paintings, a group of people are depicted in a relaxed manner. Some are standing, talking in an animated fashion, while others admire the works of art. Pictured here is the Amsterdam merchant and art collector, Jan Gildemeester, together with his friends and acquaintances. At the same time, it provides a sublime view of part of Gildemeester's extensive art collection in one of the rooms of his house: the art gallery. The artist who managed to combine all these things was Adriaan de Lelie. Painted in 1795, this interesting and wonderfully executed piece is De Lelie's finest work.
This painting is what is known as a 'conversation piece', depicting a group relaxing at a person's house. In his home on Amsterdam's Herengracht, Jan Gildemeester proudly shows his friends and acquaintances his art collection. He is pictured here standing in the foreground wearing a red jacket. In some respects it is not surprising that Gildemeester, a wealthy art-lover, had a collection. This was part of the way of life for rich, Dutch bourgeoisie. However, it is unusual that he is portrayed surrounded by his collection and friends, and that a large part of the art gallery is also recognisable.
The paintings are hung in rows beside each other and one above the other as was common practice in those days. In order to view a painting close up, binoculars were used or a ladder, as the man on the right demonstrates. He is looking at a painting by the great Antwerp painter Peter Paul Rubens. Seventeenth and eighteenth-century masters were represented in the collection, although Gildemeester also bought work by contemporaries. Gildemeester owned five other paintings by Adriaan de Lelie - who also painted this picture. De Lelie has depicted himself as one of the art-lovers in the painting. He is the man kneeling on the right.
[Oil on panel, 63.7 x 85.7 cm]
No comments:
Post a Comment